Apparatus for simultaneously transporting and processing electron discharge devices, including aging the same



Oct. 30, 1951 c, D 2,573,416

IM TANEOU APPARATUS FO TRAN SPOR G AND PROCESSING ELECTRON D HA DEVI INCLUDIN AGING THE SAME Filed Feb. 23, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET l INVENTOR 2%50161 Elk? JLZ M NEY Get. 30, 1951 R C EDDY 2,573,416

EOUSLY TRANSPOR APPARATUS FOR SIMULTAN G AND PROCESSING ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICES, INCLUDI AGING THE SAME Filed Feb. 23, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR lzrl'cri 611730? Q ATT EY fatented Oct. 30, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY TRAN S- PORTIN G AND PROCESSING ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICES, INCLUDING AGING THE SAME Robert C. Eddy, Denver, 0010., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1950,"Serial No. 145,756

11 Claims. (01. sic-32) known steps of the filament hot shot, aging and sparking at high voltages. For simplicity herein, these last referred to steps, as well as certain others as will be clearly pointed'out, will be referred to hereinafter as final processing.

Heretofore, in the art with which I am familiar processing as defined hereinabove has been carried out in an area apart from the areas for manufacture and testing. In the usual manner of fabricating electron discharge devices this has necessitated pick up and delivery of the devices from the final stage of production area to the final processing area. Here the devices are individually mounted in final processing machines which resemble large cabinets and are extremely bulky in the case of cathode ray tubes. On completionof the final processing steps of hot shot,

aging and sparking which must be supervised by operators the tubes are once again individually handled. That is, another pick-up and delivery takes place to bring the tubes to the testing area where it is necessary for the tube filaments to be heated before testing may be carried out.

Thus it is seen that considerable space, time,

as well as manpower are consumed in the final processing of tubes as it has heretofore been carried out, particularly the repeated handling of the tubes and the supervision has been a substantial cost factor. "A principal object of my invention is, therefore, the provision of apparatus by means of which the hereinbefore described final processing of electron discharge devices as Well as additional steps may be carried out automatically and while the devices are being transported from the production area to the test area.

Another object is the provision of a carrier for electron discharge devices in conjunction with a conveyor system by means of which such devices may be transported and simultaneously finally processed prior to testing. Yet another object is the provision of apparatus by which such tubes maybe transported from circuit elements mounted thereon. L55.

. 2 one area to another while elements thereof are subjected to voltages which vary within wide limits. Y a 1 A more specific object is the provision of apparatus capable of receiving and transporting tubes of different sizes without the necessity foradjustments being made when one size tube is followed byanothe'r of a different size; into which tubes may be quickly mounted and dismounted therefrom; and in which a plurality of tube elements may be simultaneously connected into their circuits in a single, simple andquickly performed operation.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of my invention I.provide an endless chain conveyor which supports in insulated relation a plurality of spaced contact bars or buses along selected portions of its path. A plurality of pendant type carriers are connected to the endless chain and each comprises a contact carrying portion or contact cubicle which is rigidly connected to the conveyor so the contacts thereon parallel the contact .bars .and make good contact therewith.

A tube holder is suspended from the contact cubicle in such manner that the holder .under the force of gravity remains vertical at all times irresspective of the angle at which the chain and the contact cubicle may be traveling. The holders are .of. open construction and permit the ready --mounting.and .dismounting of the tubes'which are held: in place by the force of gravity. The conveyorconveniently travels a path close-to the ceiling ,of the work area except at the loading and-unloading stations. Spring loaded contact arms on the walls of thecontact engage the contact bars or buses during oblique portions as well as; horizontal portions of the path whileelectrical connection to the tube is made by a slip -on socket andJflexible cables .j. snu other objectswill appear as the nature-5i my invention is .more fully understood from: the ,following description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein:

Figure 11 is a schematic. view of apparatus for transporting and simultaneously finally process- Figure13 is a perspective view of a portion of the conveyor-with. the contact bars supported therefrom; and, l

. Figure/l is a view of the inner surfaces. the contact cubicle side platesto' clearly show the Referring ,now tothe drawing in (detail and in particular to Figure 1, an endless chain type of mono-rail conveyor indicated generally at 10 has connected thereto a plurality of spaced carriers I] each of which, in the embodiment illustrated and described herein, receives one electron discharge device (l2 and as shown in Figure 2 may be any one of the class of tubes identified as cathode ray tubes for television receiving sets and which vary in size Within rather wide limits. As is apparent from the drawing and will be clearly pointed out in the following description carriers II are so constructed and conductors are so provided that the tubes are subjected to the final processing steps as well as certain other treatments while being transported in the carriers.

The mono-rail conveyor is conveniently installed with a portion A thereof at a height close enough to the fioor to permit ready loading of tubes I2 into carriers H. From the loading station or portion A the conveyor rises quite rapidly to a suflicient height so as not to interiere with free use of the area thereunder. Over the length B of conveyor [0 a plurality of contact bars or buses l3 (Figure 3) are rigidly connected thereto in accurately spaced relation. For example, three such contact bars may be mounted on a plurality of insulating plates M to which are connected hangers [5 which in turn are connected to the casing of conveyor 10. Hangers may be substantially U-shaped as shown and each of the arms thereof is connected to an insulating plate l4 having three contact bars connected and supported thereon in insulated spaced relation. 0

Along the length B of the conveyor the contact bars [3 are in several spaced sections, each section being insulated from the others and supplied with the desired electrical power from power supplies one of which is indicated schematically at l6. The length B of the conveyor is chosen such that at the rate at which the carriers travel sufiicient time is available for the final processing steps to take place. Also each of the contact bar sections is of suflicient length so that during the time each carrier is in contact therewith the desired processing operation may be carried out and completed.

Each of the carriers H (Figure 3) comprises two .major subdivisions one being a contact cubicle 8 which is rigidly connected to the conveyor and a holder portion 9 which is free to swing. Contact cubicle 8 comprises a pair of spaced side members or plates i! which are of good insulating material and are rigidly interconnected by frame members 18, 19. Upper irame member 18 has connected thereto two clevises 20, 21 by means of which the carriers are rigidly connected to horizontally projecting pins on the conveyor chain and side members or .plates 11 are maintained parallel to contact bars 13. The chain itself is provided with spaced horizontal and vertical rolls which engage the conveyor casing and serve to movably support the chain. The drive for the chain is of conventional design and includes the necessary sprockets, belts, motors and reduction gears as is well known in the art. The rate of travel of the chain may vary from about six feet to twenty feet per minute though I now prefer to operate the chain at about ten feet per minute.

Holder portion 9 comprises an inverted T-shaped pendant '22 and is mounted with its upper end in a recess formed in upper frame member l8 and is free to swing or pivot about its pin 23. Arms 24, 25am each rigidly connected to an arm of the T-shaped pendant and insulated therefrom. Arms 24, 25 support between their lower ends and are connected to panel or support 26 made of insulating or electrically non-conductive material or of other suitable material and insulated from arms 24, 25. To provide for any of a variety of sizes of tubes being readily mounted on the carriers in a secure manner step wedges 21 are spaced around panel 26 and in the case of three such wedges being used they are conveniently located degrees apart. Cathode ray tubes having the larger face plates or rims 28 rest on the upper steps of the wedges while those with smaller rims rest on the lower steps. Step Wedges 21 additionally serve to center each tube on its holder.

Each of the side members or plates I! has contacts 29 securely mounted thereon one for each of the adjacent contact bars or buses l3. Contacts 29 each comprise a spring loaded contact arm or shoe 30 which under action of the spring is continuously urged outwardly away from the side plates so as to intercept and make contact with the associated contact bar. Conducting leads extend through the side plates and are all brought out to terminals 3| on one of the side plates. It is not necessary that each of the contacts 29 be connected to one of the terminals 3|. In fact, one of the arms such as arm 25 is conveniently included in the high voltage circuit to the second anode contact 32 by leads 33, 34. This arrangement makes available a long leakage path to high voltage of approximately 25,000 volts which is impressed on the second anode of the cathode ray tubes durin the step of sparking when leakage paths between the electrodes are burned out.

As pointed out hereinabove contacts 29 have spring loaded contact arms or shoes 30 and each contact arm has an apertured nose through which contact arm pin 35 extends; the latter being received in apertures in the ears 36. Each contact 29 also is provided with a stop against which arm 30 is urged by its spring to limit the outward throw thereof which is so chosen that it will exceed the maximum possible distance to the associated contact bar in order to insure a firm contact at all times. I have found that such an arrangement with a contact arm having an integral head 31 is preferred for picking up the high voltages which are required.

The specific type of electron discharge de vice shown for purposes of illustration is one of a wide variety of cathode ray picture receiving tubes. Such tubes all have similar electrode arrangements comprising a heater, cathode, control grid commonly designated G1, ac ,celeratinggrid or G2 and what is generally re- 'ferred to as the second anode. The internal tube structure is well known and since it forms no part of my present invention it is not considered necessary to further describe the same. Such tubes have more or less identical basing with the terminal or contact 32 for the second anode being located apart from the base as shown to avoid leakage in view of the large voltage difierence between it and the other electrodes particularly the cathode.

I,'therefor'e, for the tube illustrated, connect each of five of the contacts 29 to one of the terminals "3i which in turn have connected thereto flexible cables 38 arranged in spaced side by side relation by spacers -39 to insure maximum flexibility and at the same time provide a maximum of insulation between the individual cables. vantageous in avoiding rubbing contact between the cables which would otherwise/be aggravated by the swinging of the tube holder portion of the carrier with respect to the contact cubicle. Cables 38 are led into a socket40 .whichis of the conventional slip-on construction and slips over the contact pins of the tube base and has a central aperture which registers Withan aperture in socket casing 4| in which socket. 40 is mounted. Hook 42 is connected to thelower portion of pendant 22 and is provided, with a head 43 just small enough to slipthrough pase sageway 44 formed by the apertures in thevsocket and socket casing. With the socket in casing 41 and cables 38 connected thereto, passageway 44 is offset from the center of gravity of the casing and consequently when the casing is slipped up on hook 42 and over head 43 it tilts under the force of gravity and is retained on the hook until it is alined substantially horizontally or perpendicular to the shank of hook 42 at which time it may bereadily slipped off. In this way, a means is provided for retaining socket casing 4| securely fastened to the carrier when there is no tube mounted thereon while at the same time providing a quick disconnect arrangement. Such a quick disconnect arrangement is particularly desirable in view of the fact that the carriers are in continuous motion and loading and unloading thereof .must be capable of being carried out quickly while at the same time bearing in mind the fragile nature of the devices being transported. To avoid overloading the power supply. and damage thereto I provide resistance elements which are connectedin series between the contacts 29 and terminals 3| and are mounted within contact cubicle 8. The type of tube being processed and the power supplied to thevarious terminals thereof determines the value of the resistances to be used in order to limit the load when one or more of the elements within a tube happens to be shorted. For the type of tube illustrated, I use 15, 15 and 10,000 ohm resistances connected in series with the contact and terminal connected to one side of the heater, G1 and to the second anode respectively and which are identified by R1, R2 and. R3 in the order mentioned. Two 25 watt, 250 volt incandescent lamps are conveniently connected in series with G2.

When a carrier with a tube mounted thereon enters length B of the conveyor thefirst section of contact bars have voltages connected to them for subjecting the filament toabouta one to two minute hot shot. The carrier then engages the second section of contact bars which are continuations of those of the first section but spaced therefrom to permit different voltages to be applied thereto. This second section'is given over to regular aging. The contact bars of this second section are of such length that the carriers are in contact therewith for approximately 20 to 30 minutes at rate at which they are traveling. The third section is also relatively short and here sparking at high voltage takes place for approximately 1 to 3 minutes with approximately 25,000 volts on the second anode with the other electrodes tential.

At length C, the conveyor isat a convenient height for unloading and is provided with short sections of contact bars. Length C is conveniently located adjacent test -sets,=o,ne-of-which at ground po- This arrangement is particularly adis schematically indicated at 45. Ori or more sections of contact bars are supplied power from short test power supplies through neon indicating lamps 49 to indicate short or open circuits in tubes on carriers traveling in these sections. The short test contact bar sections are somewhat shorter than the spacing between the cartiers and only one carrier can be in a section at a time. Thus test set operator by observing the indicating lights can locate short circuited or open circuited tubes before they are removed from the carriers. carriers they are automatically returned to the production area for salvage or re-processing.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the carriers with their contact cubicles travel at various levels part of the travel being at an oblique to the horizontal and may make several turns. Nevertheless, with my preferred arrangement good electrical contact is maintained at all times. At the same time, the holders in which the tubes are mounted are free to remain vertical thereby making possible an extremely simplified construction.

Between the short test contact bar sections and adjacent each test set are other contact bar sections which only provide heater power to tubes on the carriers, thereby maintaining the cathode temperature in the tubes so that they may be removed preheated from the carriers and loaded into test sets without any delay being occasioned by the fact that the oathodes are cold and require heating before the performance of the tubes may be tested.

I provide a switch 46 in the contact cubicle 8 between one of the heater terminals and its contact 29 to make it possible for a tube to receive additional aging without being subjected once again to the hot shot if this is not desired. Switch 46 is provided with an elongated arm 41 which projects above the side plates of contact cubicle B when the switch is open. When a tube is left on a carrier or placed thereon for further aging switch arm 41 is deflected upward to open the switch. Therefore, while this section and before it enters the aging sec tion switch arm 41 engages a cam 48 suspended from the conveyor and is depressed to the closed position.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that my invention provides apparatus for processing electron discharge devices which materially reduces the v manpower ordinarily required to carry out thesame, which makes a substantial saving in factory floor space, which reduces the manual handling of the devices to a minimum all of which afford a substantial cost reduction in the manufacture of such devices. Furthermore, once a device is mounted in a carrier it requires no further attention by an operator during the steps of hot shot, aging and sparking while heretofore it was necessary for the voltages or power to be periodically varied for each tube or group of tubes. Though I have set forth a preferred embodiment of my invention and described it in detail with respect thereto. I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction set forth but desire to claim all modifications thereof that come within the scope of the appended claims. Though I now prefer to mount cathode ray receiving tubes faceplate downwards, and have so illustrated my invention, I may also mount such tubes in such manner that the face plate is readily vis- By leaving such tubes on the ible. When so mounted additional tests requiring visual inspection of the tube screen may be carried out.

I claim:

1. A conveyor for simultaneously processing and transporting electron discharge devices, comprising a movably mounted endless chain, a casing supporting said chain, a plurality -:of electrically conducting contact bars 'insulatingly supported from said casing adjacent a portion of the path of said chain :and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom, a plurality of carriers suspended from said chain and spaced one from the other, said carriers each further comprising a contact cubicle rigidly connected to said chain and a holder swingably suspended from said contact cubicle, and a plurality of contacts mounted on said contact cubicle in insulated relation for making electrical contact with said contact bars and projecting from said contact cubicle far enough to engage and slide along said contact bars.

2. A conveyor for simultaneously processing and transporting electron tubes, comprising a casing, an endless chain movably mounted in said casing, a plurality of spaced sections of electrically conducting contact bars extending parallel to at least a portion of the path of said chain, each or" said sections including a plurality of said contact bars in insulated spaced relation, a plurality of contact cubicles rigidly connected to said chain and spaced one from the other, a plurality of holders one swingably connected to each of said contact cubicles and for supporting an electron tube thereon, said contact bars being spaced a predetermined distance trom the path of said contact cubicles, and a plurality of contacts mounted on each of said contact cubicles insulated one from the other and for making electrical contact successively with the contact bars in each of said sections, said contacts projecting from said contact cubicle farther than said distance.

3. A conveyor for simultaneously processing and transporting electron tubes, comprising a casing, an endless chain movably mounted in said casing, a plurality of spaced sections of electrically conducting contact bars extending parallel to and on each side of at least a portion of the path of said chain, each of said sections including a plurality of said contact bars in insulated spaced relation, a plurality of contact cubicles rigidly connected to said chain and spaced one from the other, a plurality of holders one swingably connected to each of said contact cubicles and for supporting an electron tube thereon, said contact cubicles each including a pair of insulating side plates in face to face spaced relation and ap'lurality of contacts spaced apart on the outer surface of each of said plates, a plurality of terminals one for each of said contacts mounted on at least one of said side plates, circuits connecting a plurality of said contacts with their terminals, a socket adapted for connection to the contacts of said electron tube, and flexible conductive cables connected to said terminals and leading into said socket and connected thereto, said contact bars each being spaced a predetermined distance from the path of said side plates, said first mentioned contacts projectingfrom' the side plate on which they are mounted farther than said distance.

4. A carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting an electron tube comprising a contact cubicle, means on said cubicle for rigidly connecting the same to a conveyor system, a plurality of contacts projecting outwardly from said contact cubicle, 'a holder swingably suspended from said contract cubicle for receiving an electron tube thereon, a socket for quick detachability engaging terminals of the tube, and means "connecting .said socket to said carrier including electrically conductive flexible cable connected to said socket and 'in circuit Withsaid contacts.

5. A-carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting an electron tube comprising a contact cubicle, means on said cubicle for rigidly connecting the :same to a conveyor system, a plurality of contacts projecting fromsaid contact cubicle and each including a pivotally mounted contact arm, resilient means connected to said contact'armandnrging one end of the same outwardly from said contact cubicle, a plurality of terminals on said contact cubicle, means electrically connecting said contacts with said terminals, a holder swingably suspended from said contact cubicle for receiving an electron tube thereon, a socket for quick detachability engaging terminals of the tube, and electrically conductive flexible cables connected to said first mentioned terminals and said socket.

6. A carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting an electron discharge device comprising a contact-cubicle, means on said contact cubicle for rigidly connecting the same to a conveyor system, saiclcontact cubicle comprising insulating side plates in spaced face to face-relation, a frame-member between said side plates and connecte'd to the-samaa plurality of contacts mounted inspaced relation onthe outer surfaces of said side plates, aplurality of terminals on at least one of said side plates, means conductivel-y connecting said contacts and said terminals, and a holder-swingably suspended from said-contact cubicle and further-comprising a pendant swingably connected to said frame member, a support carried by said pendant and for supporting an electron discharge device, and a socket electrically connected to said terminals and adapted to make connection with the terminals of the electron discharge device.

7. A carrier for simultaneously processing-and transporting an electron discharge device comprising a contact cubicle, means on said'contact cubicle :forrigidly connecting the same to a conveyor system, said contact cubicle comprising insulating side plates in spaced face to face relation, a "frame member "between said side plates and connected to the same, a plurality of contacts mounted in spaced-relation on the outer surfaces of said side plates, a plurality of terminalson at least one of said 7 side plates, .means conductively connecting said contacts and said terminals, antl a holder swingably suspended from said con-tact cubicle and further comprising an inverted T shaped pendant swingably connected to said frame membena pair of arms connected to said pendant and electrically insulated therefrom, a support'connected to said arms and supported thereby, .step wedges radially spaced on said support for receiving and locating an electron discharge device thereon, and a socket electrically connected to saidterminals and adapted to make connection with the terminals of the electron discharge device.

8. A'carrier-for simultaneously processing-and transporting an electron discharge device, comprising a contact cubicle, .means on said cubicle for .origidly connecting the same to a conveyor system, a plurality of contacts on said cubicle for wiping contact with electrically conducting contact bars, a holder swingably suspended from said contact cubicle for receiving an electron discharge device and comprising a pendant pivotally connected to said contact cubicle, a socket casing and socket therein for quick detachability engaging the terminals of said discharge device, means electrically connecting said socket to said contacts and including flexible cables connected to said socket, said casing and socket having registering apertures therethrough forming a passageway, a hook depending from said pendant and having an enlarged head formed thereon just small enough to slip through said passageway, said passageway being located off center with respect to the center of gravity of said casing and socket whereby the force of gravity serves to tilt and retain said casing and socket in engagement with said hook when the socket is not in use and righting the casing permits the same to fall free from the hook.

9. A carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting an electron discharge device having at least one high voltage terminal comprising a contact cubicle, means on said cubicle for rigidly connecting the same to a conveyor system, a plurality of contacts on said contact cubicle for contacting electrically conducting bars, a holder swingably suspended from said contact cubicle for receiving an electron discharge device and comprising a pendant pivotally connected to said contact cubicle, at least one arm connected to said pendant and insulated therefrom, a support connected to said arm and carried thereby, at least one of said contacts being provided for engaging a contact bar connected to a source of high voltage electrical power, means electrically connecting said one contact to said arm, and a lead connected to said arm adapted to engage a high voltage terminal on said electron discharge device.

10. A carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting a cathode-ray tube, comprising a contact cubicle, contact members spaced vertically and extending from a side of said cubicle for engaging elongated vertically spaced contact bars, spaced members extending upwardly from said cubicle for rigidly engaging a conveyor belt disposed parallel to said bars, whereby engage-'- ment between said contact members and said bars is preserved during travel of said cubicle, a platform swingingly suspended from said cubicle and having circularly spaced supports for receiving the face of said tube, whereby said tube is supported in a predetermined position during travel of said belt in an angular path from the horizontal, and means for electrically connecting said contact members to terminal members on said tube.

11. A carrier for simultaneously processing and transporting a cathode-ray tube, comprising a contact cubicle, a platform swingingly suspended from said cubicle, said platform having graduated members for receiving the face plate of a cathode-ray tube of indifierent size, contacts extending from said cubicle, means for electrically connecting said contacts to elements of said tube, said contact cubicle being rigidly supported by and below a conveyor belt, Whereby said contacts engage a fixed elongated current source during travel of said carrier on said conveyor belt.

ROBERT C. EDDY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,324,559 Cooke July 20, 1943 2,398,3 0 Wilder Apr. 9, 1946 

